A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry declared in a statement on Thursday that the DPRK would carry through the tasks in the field of foreign policy, set forth in the New Year Address, and actively develop the external relations as befitting its position as a dignified power of independence and a nuclear weapons state.

The statement said:

We will certainly defend peace and security of the country by our own efforts and make active contributions to safeguarding peace and stability of the world.

It is the consistent stand of the party and government of the DPRK to expand and develop the relations of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with those countries advocating independence in the idea of its foreign policy--independence, peace and friendship.

This year we will put efforts into expanding contacts and exchanges with countries having long-standing traditions of friendship and cooperation with us and consolidating the bonds of friendship.

We will improve relations with all countries which respect our sovereignty and are friendly toward us, and will actively conduct multi-faceted exchanges and cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields with them.

This year, too, we will strive to closely cooperate with various countries on the international arena including the UN to oppose and reject all sorts of high-handed and arbitrary practices and application of double standards including the unwarranted and illegal racket for putting sanctions and pressure on the DPRK, build an independent and fair new international order and realize genuine international justice.

We will also make joint efforts to settle international issues like anti-terrorism, disputes and environment and promote development and prosperity common to humankind.

We will as ever remain committed to the idea of our foreign policy, further raise the international influence of the DPRK and develop foreign relations on our own initiative and in a multilateral way.